How to Plan an Aspen Elopement (Updated for 2025)
Aspen is one of the most famous little mountain towns in Colorado, and for good reason: it’s drop dead gorgeous. During the winter, it has world class skiing, and during the summer, the meadows are filled with pops of color from wildflowers, and access to the Maroon Bells and the surrounding mountains is opened. Aspen is the most expensive spot in Colorado to stay, but it actually has very affordable venues, like the Maroon Bells amphitheater. Even if you aren’t into the mountain chalet luxury Aspen has to offer, the nature is hard to beat.
Table of Contents
Wedding venues in Aspen
Hiking trails
Locations that don’t require a hike
Why Elope in Aspen?
Epic Scenery
If you’ve ever seen a photo used in advertising for Colorado, you’ve probably seen photos of the Maroon Bells. They’re an iconic site in Colorado, and gorgeous in every season. Outside of the Maroon Bells, though, there’s plenty of gorgeous mountain views to behold as well.
Beautiful Accommodations
Since Aspen is the hub for celebs and multimillionaires, you can expect there to be some epic spots to stay for your trip there. Hotel Jerome is the most well known hotel in town and is worth a visit, even if you aren’t staying there. The interior design is unique, and the staff all dress in bougie cowboy get up. There are loads of unique airbnbs to choose from as well if you want something a little more private.
Wildflower Season
Other than maybe Crested Butte, Aspen has some of the best wildflowers in the state. The area surrounding the Maroon Bells is popping with color as well as many hikes and other in the area. Late June to early July is the best time to catch those blooms at their peak.
Excellent Food
Colorado generally does not impress in the food category, typically. However, Aspen is home to several Michelin rated restaurants and has some of the best food in the state, so it does not disappoint. If you aren’t looking for a luxury experience, though, Slow Groovin’ BBQ is some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had (yes, even better than Texas BBQ!), and you can take a little day trip to Marble- which is what I recommend- or go to their second location on the mountain.
Best Time Of Year To Elope In Aspen
Summer: Mid June-August
Summer is one of the best time to visit Aspen. The wildflowers are abundant, and hills are green, and the sun is shining. The drawbacks to summer, however, are that the weather can be stormy in the afternoons with thunderstorms, and summer is also the most busy time of year in Aspen. Aspen is a very small town and also one of the most touristy, so it gets pretty crowded in the summer. If you choose to elope in Aspen in the summer, just be sure to make reservations well in advance and schedule around peak visitation times for photos without other people around.
Fall: September-early October
Fall is an iconic time to visit Aspen- because of all the aspens! Aspen trees turn golden yellow and sometimes even orange and red during the autumn time, and it’s a beautiful sight to see. This is a slightly quieter time compared to summer, but weekends still get very busy with Denver locals getting away for the weekend for leaf peeping. Aspen is one of the best locations to visit in Colorado in the fall, and seeing the Maroon Bells at peak leaf changing time is a bucket list item. If you want to catch the leaves at their peak, you have to catch them in a short window between the last week of September and the first week of October.
Winter: November-March
Aspen is a ski town, so if you’re looking for a winter wonderland, Aspen is a great place to find it. Trails roads, and scenic areas will be significantly more limited, since many places shut down in the winter, but if you’re willing to snowshoe, ski, or snowmobile to a location, you can find more places to say your vows. December, January, and February are the best time for more consistent snowfall if you’re hoping for a white wedding.
Spring: April-early June
I do not recommend visiting Aspen or anywhere in Colorado in the springtime. Spring doesn’t hit lower elevation areas until about April or May- in the mountains, spring doesn’t come until early June at least. Trees don’t have leaves until Mid June, trails are closed, snow is still be packed at higher elevations, making most places inaccessible, and there’s mud everywhere. It’s just not a great time to experience all the things that make Colorado great. The upside to springtime is that there are very few people around; however, that also means that a lot of restaurants, the ski mountain, and trails are closed down, so there isn’t much to do.
Activities in Aspen
Hiking
Aspen doesn’t have a ton of easier trails, but there’s a few good ones here and there that lead to pretty lakes or views, dotted with wildflowers all up and down the trail.
Skiing
Aspen is kind of renown for its skiing among celebs and the rich and famous. You can spend the day on the mountain and then gather together at your little chalet or cabin with some hot cocoa by the fire afterwards.
Luxury Experiences
Aspen is a location for the rich and famous, and as a result, there’s high end shopping, spas, Michelin star dinners, and an abundance of other bougie experiences to be had in the area.
Snowmobiling
If you visit in the winter and want to access places like the Maroon Bells, snowmobiling is the way to go. If you haven’t been, it’s a blast and a hell of a way to enter your ceremony site. T Lazy 7 Ranch offers rentals for the day if you want a unique ride for your elopement
Elopement Locations in Aspen
The best wedding venues in Aspen for a micro wedding or elopement:
Aspen Reception Venues + Private Dinner Venues
Aspen Hiking Trails For Your Elopement
Crater Lake- 3.5 miles
Cathedral Lake- 5.4 miles
The Rim Trail/Spiral Point- 1.3 miles
Elopement locations in Aspen that don’t require hiking
Independence Pass
Independence townsite
Maroon Bells
Grizzly Reservoir
Ashcroft Ghost Town
Accommodations In Aspen
Need an Aspen Elopement Photographer?
I was born and raised in Colorado, and I’ve spent many summers in and around Aspen and the surrounding areas. Whether you want to have a classic bougie Aspen experience, or explore the stunning mountains that surround the town, I’m the girl to ask!
